IKEA Southampton UK

Fabric Architecture, Brockworth, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom

The tensile fabric structure protects the entrance to the store from the parking ramp. A 45m long and 9m wide void between the parking ramp and main building houses a series of moving walkways, taking shoppers from the checkouts at ground level up to each level of the ramp.

The design had to incorporate a number of functions. Because the building is a landmark structure, it needed to be visible from many key locations throughout the city. It also needed to protect customers from the elements. An integral water management system needed to feed into a secondary support structure within the ramp.

Coordinating the installation in an incredibly tight space was difficult because the building work was complete and the site tower crane was no longer on-site. This meant two separate crane installations and numerous mobile access lifts were necessary to weave around structural obstacles to install steelwork and fabric canopies. Because the structure was the last element in the building program, the installation started in December. Cold, wet and windy weather had to be closely monitored to ensure a safe working environment for the install crews.

The customer was delighted with the result, as well as the skilled installation and calm, controlled organization of the project management team.